<p>I agree. I think teachers are increasingly being put in the role of social worker and pseudo-psychologist in schools. Not that this is inappropriate - I actually think that integrated supportive care for at-risk students in schools is an excellent idea, because school defines much of their lives and so is inherently more relevant - but teachers are not being trained for it, given the support needed for it, or even met with the acknowledgment that it is an increasing, implicit responsibility. Given that, it is probably natural that many respond by going slightly overboard on the psycho-therapeutic emotional side of things, sometimes to the detriment of kids who really don’t need it.</p>
<p>On the other hand, everyone here should be cognizant of the fact that by virtue of where we are communicating (a forum for largely high-achieving, secure and well-adjusted students and their very “together” and dedicated parents) we all would probably tend towards needing less help and wanting it less anyways. Imagine this debate taking place on a forum dedicated to children having problems in schools - learning difficulties, adjustment problems, etc. - I would bet the responses could be very different. Tough line to walk for the teachers.</p>